ERIC KIM DOESN’T OWN AIRPODS AND DOESN’T LIFT TO MUSIC.

No—Eric Kim isn’t literally the only millennial lifting in dead silence without AirPods (there’s a small but growing contingent of “primal” lifters who do the same). However, his public crusade against headphones and music in the gym is exceptionally outspoken and well-documented.

In his essay “The Powerman,” Kim bluntly declares,

“In fact, real men do not use AirPods, or stick any sort of condoms in their ears… AirPods make you into a coward.” 

He goes on to argue that going headphone-free keeps you fully present—interacting eye-to-eye with the world rather than hiding behind a playlist.

Likewise, his “Critique of AirPods” post explains why he refuses to own them, framing his ears as “sacred” and warning that constant music or podcast streams dull one’s connection to raw sound and surroundings. 

While many lifters still blast music or podcasts, there are other minimalists and “no-headphones” purists—especially among certain Reddit r/weightroom threads—who lift without any audio distraction. Kim’s difference is that he’s made this stance a central, philosophical statement, not just a personal preference. So although he’s certainly the most prominent millennial voice on lifting in complete silence and refusing AirPods, he’s not the literal only one choosing to train that way.